Heaven gained one of the good guys. John “Dave” David Johnson age 79 passed away on February 19, 2025, surrounded by his family and listening to The Beatles. He was a warrior in the fight against cancer but ultimately lost the battle.
Dave (or Paw Paw as he was known by his favorite people) was born in Dayton, Ohio to Robert Mardis Johnson and Eleine Louise Haines. Dave is survived by Dawn, his wife and soul mate of 42 years. He is lovingly remembered by his children, Ben (Cara) Johnson, Jennifer Bowen, and Brandy Gause. He will forever be worshiped by his Grandchildren: Wyatt Bowen (21), Sara Bowen (18), Noah Perez-Johnson (16), Hudson Perez-Johnson (15) and Kenzie Gause (14), along with his big brown dog, Buck.
Dave was born to be a salesman, he started in the steel industry, dabbled in banking but found his calling in medical sales. He lived multiple places for work, including Dayton, Lima, Chicago, Detroit, St. Louis, and New Jersey, but always considered Columbus home. He was a distributor for multiple orthopedic device companies, also spine and ENT products. Dave could sell “ice to the Eskimos,” he was old school in his work product, always on time and amazing in his ability to pour his beloved black coffee out of his thermos, into the coffee cup, while driving. It was one of his many gifts. During his career, and after retirement Dave felt a huge responsibility to help people get started in the medical sales business; he cultivated young talent including one person who described Dave as his “lucky break” in getting started in the business.
Dave was always part of the fun; while at Ohio State University he was in the Sigma Pi Fraternity (he called them the “Siggy Piggies”), a lifelong member of the Ohio State Buckeye Club, he was a Mason and a man of faith, he enjoyed Bible Study and the men who welcomed him so warmly in their shared journey of faith. Dave LOVED old movies. He was a lifelong fan of John Wayne, The Lone Ranger, Roy Rogers but also more current crime shows. Dave loved going to the movies, he always wanted to sit on the aisle and didn’t like butter on his popcorn (we loved him anyway). He loved music, history, fly fishing, DIY home projects and yard work. He was into anything his grandkids were doing and rarely missed a sporting event, play or concert. He was serious about being fit. He built a gym in the garage that he used religiously, until he could not.
Dave had many gifts, including being really funny, he could free-style rhyme, he was ORGANIZED, you could eat off his garage floor, had great design vision and decorated his house in the Southwest theme they loved. He was a dog whisperer, he loved eating Kewpee Burgers (Lima) and steaks at The Pine Club (Dayton). He was an avid collector of Buckeye memorabilia and baseball hats. We will always be thankful the last OSU football game he watched was the National Championship game. Well played boys!
He had a white-hot intensity and had lofty expectations for his children. His kids learned many life lessons from Dave, including the value of work ethic, being honorable and showing up for people you loved. His intensity was dimmed by his favorite people in the world, his grandkids. They were his world, and each have unique favorite memories of their Paw Paw. Wyatt remembers being carried in a backpack while his Paw Paw mowed the lawn. Sara remembers the art projects they made together, most fondly the clock using chicken wishbones as the numbers (Dave ate a million roasted chickens in his lifetime). Noah remembers going fishing with his Paw Paw, including catching a sand-dollar. Hudson will always remember going to Ohio State football games, especially the game where his Paw Paw arranged for him to meet the TBDBITL for his birthday. Kenzie happily remembers lying in bed watching Shawn the Sheep under the Sherpa blanket, also lunches at White Castle (or “Castille La Blanc” as he called it). Dave was an amazing Paw Paw, and his grandkids felt important and very loved.
Dave and Dawn had a special marriage, it was kind, patient and loving. They were best friends and each other’s biggest cheerleaders. They traveled to some wonderful places but felt most happy at home puttering around in the yard, together. Dawn was the primary caretaker during Dave’s cancer battle; she embodied the “in sickness and in health” part of their marriage vows. Dawn never said, “don’t leave me,” instead she said, “save me a seat in heaven, my love.” She loved him enough to let him go when the time came.
We would like to thank the many people who helped Dave in his fight, including Dr. Melaragno and staff, Dr Sweeney and staff, Dr Benson, and the angels at Ohio Health Hospice, along the many neighbors and friends who gave us support when things got tough. We are grateful and blessed to have so many people in our tribe, you kept us afloat.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Meadow Park Church (meadowpark.org). We are planning a Celebration of this amazing life, details forthcoming.
Stephen “Steve” F. Stamm, 77 of New Concord, passed away peacefully on Sunday, October 6, 2024, at the Beckett House surrounded by his loving family.
Steve was born on December 8, 1946, in Mantua, Ohio. He is the son of the late Forrest “Mich” and Roberta “Bobbie” (Muth) Stamm. A proud graduate of Crestwood High School in Mantua, Ohio, Steve was known for his exceptional talent as a pitcher on the baseball team. His passion for sports continued to grow as he attended The Ohio State University, where he was a member of the Sigma Pi Fraternity, and loved to drive his red Corvette Convertible to all of their parties.
After his graduation from college in 1969, Steve found his calling as a pharmacist in Springfield, then serving at the Good Samaritan Hospital in Zanesville beginning in 1971. He eventually became the owner and operator of Cambridge Pharmacy in Cambridge, Ohio. He was a former member of the New Concord United Methodist Church in New Concord and New Concord Ruritan Club.
Steve’s spirit shone brightly during football season. A lifelong Buckeye fan, he was known to don his scarlet and gray with pride, often reminiscing about attending the unforgettable Rose Bowl victory against USC and O.J. Simpson in Pasadena, California. His love for sports didn’t end there – he was a dedicated supporter of the Cleveland Indians, adamantly refusing to refer to them as the Guardians.
His claim to fame was that he was the Little League Baseball Coach for former Kent State University and Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker, and member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Jack Lambert, of Mantua, Ohio.
Beyond sports, Steve embraced his German heritage, relishing the opportunity to share traditional cuisine with his grandchildren, who affectionately called him “Opa.” He cherished gatherings at the family cabin on Seneca Lake, where boating, skiing, and fishing brought joy to his life. Music was also a significant part of his life, and he could often be found enjoying classic rock and roll.
Steve is survived by his two sons, Matthew (Jo-Beth) Stamm and Gregory (Annie) Stamm; his step-children, Angela (Craig) Combs, Mark Smith and Matthew (Columba) Smith; his grandchildren, Benjamin Stamm, Mya Stamm, Joseph Stamm, Emersyn Stamm, and Nathan Combs; the mother of his children, Gail E. (Lash) Stamm Requardt; and his devoted second wife, Rebecca “Becky” Smith Stamm, who made daily phone calls to him or his caregivers, to check on his well-being. In addition to family and extended family, Steve was blessed to have several loyal friends who continued to care for him in his last years. He was very appreciative of all that they did for him.
In addition to his parents, Steve is preceded in death by his brother Geoffrey Stamm; as well as his granddaughter, Annastyn Stamm.
A Celebration of Steve’s Life will be held on Sunday, October 20, 2024, at the Farus Funeral Home of New Concord. Visitation from 12 pm to 1 pm followed by a Memorial Service at 1 pm, with Pastor Roger Morrow officiating. Steve will be laid to rest in Northwood Cemetery in Cambridge.
Frederick Richard Good of Glendale, Ohio, passed away at Hospice of Cincinnati Blue Ash on December 11, 2023. Loving husband of Valeria (Nee Bokatsch) Good, he was preceded in death by his parents John and Dorothy Good of Fostoria, Ohio.
Fred attended The Ohio State University where he was a member of Sigma Pi Fraternity - Gamma Chapter. After receiving his Bachelor of Science degree, a Master of Science in food technology from OSU led to a career in making maraschino cherries and specialty products. He enjoyed travel, visiting sites in Egypt, Argentina, Tahiti, Indonesia, and many more places around the world.
He loved opera, having served on the Cincinnati Opera board for a number of years. He loved dining out and spending time with friends.
A remembrance of his life will take place after the New Year. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of Cincinnati Blue Ash https://hospiceofcincinnati.org/in his memory. Online condolences at www.strawserfuneralhome.com
John A. Spoff, age 85 of Columbus, died Thursday, May 11, 2023, at Riverside Methodist Hospital. John was born in DeKalb, Illinois on September 3, 1937, to the late Rudolph and Kathryn Pratt. He was a veteran of the US Army and retired from the Ohio National Guard as a lieutenant colonel and as an emergency management planner for the State of Ohio.
John was a member of New England Lodge #4, F & AM of Ohio where he served as the lodge’s Tyler for over 20 years. John was also an honorary member of Community Lodge #684, F & AM of Ohio; 32nd Masons, Valley of Columbus, A.A.S.R.; Horeb-Wright #3 Chapter R.A.M.; Columbus Council #8, Royal & Select Masons; Mt Vernon Commandery No.1, Knight Templars, Ohio Chapter of Research; Knight Templar Eye Foundation, High 12 club, Grand Council Allied Masonic Degrees, St. Brenden's Council Knight's Masons, a member of the Sojourners Club. Central Ohio Hot Jazz Society, Mercedes Benz Club of America. John is survived by his wife Leslie (Rush) Spoff; brother-in-law and sister-in-law Bob and Diane Rush; and sister-in-law and brother-in-law Connie and Roger Stitzlein, and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents. A memorial service to celebrate John’s life will be held at the RUTHERFORD-CORBIN FUNERAL HOME, 515 High Street in Worthington on Wednesday Ma,y 24, 2023 at 7:00 pm, including a Masonic Funeral Service by New England Lodge. In lieu of flowers, friends may donate to the charity of their choice in John's memory.
Originally posted at https://www.rutherfordfuneralhomes.com/obituaries/John-Spoff/#!/Obituary
Paul H. Coleman, Jr., born August 15, 1943; died March 11, 2023, of heart failure. He was born at St. Ann's hospital to Mary Donahue Coleman and Paul H. Coleman. He grew up in Bexley, attending St. Thomas the Apostle and Bishop Hartley, where he was a member of the first graduating class in 1961. He received a B.A. in English from the Ohio State University in 1965, and while an undergraduate was a member of the Freshman and Varsity football teams. He obtained a J.D. from the Ohio State College of Law in 1968. After graduation from law school, he served as legal counsel for the Franklin County Welfare Department, as Assistant Director of the Ohio Department of Public Welfare, and was appointed Director of the Governor's Office of Recovery Services. He served as Board Chair of the Youth Advocate Services and the Ohio Hunger Task Force. While in private practice he represented pro bono the community's first homeless shelter. In 1991, he was hired as President and Chief Executive Officer of Maryhaven. During his time at Maryhaven, he expanded its reach, offering a new lease on life for alcoholics and addicts throughout Central Ohio. When he retired in 2016 Maryhaven cared for 9,000 patients per year and employed over 500 people. The work at Maryhaven was recognized with the Alvis House Golden Rule Award (1999), the ADMAH Extra Mile Award (2001), The Columbus Foundation Award (2006), and the Cochran Award for Mental Health (2008). He was deeply grateful to receive the inaugural Nancy Jeffery Advocate for Social Justice Award from the Community Shelter Board (2019). He is preceded in death by his wife of 54 years Deborah Dye Coleman who died three weeks prior on February 17, 2023. He is survived by his three children Paul (Colleen), Elizabeth Toledo (Holbart), and Miriam Chang (Edward), and seven grandchildren, Audrey, Pierce, Chelsea, Mateo, William, Isaac, and Sophia. Calling hours will be held in the vestibule of Christ the King from 10:00 am to 11:00 am with Mass of Christian Burial to follow at 11:00 on Friday, March 24, at Christ the King Church, 2777 East Livingston Avenue. Burial at St. Joseph Cemetery to follow. EGAN-RYAN FUNERAL HOME is in charge of arrangements. Visit www.egan-ryan.com to offer condolences. The family would like to extend heartfelt gratitude to the administration and staff at Wexner Heritage Village and Zusman Hospice. In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to the Zusman Hospice or Maryhaven.
Egan-Ryan Funeral Service- Northwest Chapel 4661 Kenny Road Columbus, OH
Visitation Mar. 24, 2023, 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.Christ the King Church
Published by Egan-Ryan Funeral Service - Northwest Chapel on Mar. 15.
Gary Arlen Chapman of Newark, DE sadly passed away on April 1, 2022. Born in Columbus, OH, Gary grew up in Ashland, OH and attended Ohio State University, graduating with a Bachelor of Finance degree. Upon graduation, Gary enlisted in the Army as a commissioned officer. He proudly served his country in the Vietnam War as a member of the 82nd Airborne Paratrooper Division, which he found to be exhilarating. Upon his release from the army, Gary relocated to Wilmington, DE for a job at DuPont. He served as a finance manager for several decades before relocating to North Carolina to finish out his career with Remington Arms.
He was a huge sports enthusiast. Gary enjoyed running and completed the New York Marathon in 1982. He had a deep passion for youth sports and spent tireless hours coaching his son, Chip, in little league baseball and basketball. However, his fervor did not end there; Gary had a part-time job as a high school and college football referee and spent many weekends traveling to football games to support the community. In his retirement years, Gary spent his Saturdays in the press box managing the University of Delaware’s football game clock. He also relished the game of golf and one of his favorite memories was serving as an usher at the Masters tournament. Gary was the biggest Ohio State football fan imaginable and if the Buckeyes were playing, you knew where to find him, screaming in joy and dancing to the thumping marching band.
Gary will be remembered as a family man who embodied the classic characteristics of being engaging and inspiring to everyone around him. He was a rock for many people besides his immediate family, and often could be found in conversation with his daughter, Tara, as a listening ear who provided advice, humorous insight, and overall words of wisdom.
Upon his retirement, Gary and his wife Sandy moved back to Delaware to be closer to family where he took long walks with his dog Bucky and spent time with his children and grandchildren. The legacy of Gary’s kind spirit, passion for sports, and zest for life will live on through them.
Gary was preceded in death by his parents, Herbert and Wahneta; and brother, Doug (Mary Ann). He is survived by his wife of 30 years, Sandy (née Ditchburn); children, Tara (Rich), Gary “Chip” Arlen Jr (Kim); and grandchildren, AJ, Carly, Leah, Alexa, and Logan.
Services will be held Wednesday, April 6th at 11:00 AM at the McCrery & Harra Funeral Home (3710 Kirkwood Hwy. Wilmington, DE 19808). Friends may call beginning at 10:00 AM. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the American Heart and Lung Association.
MARTIN J. MEHALL, beloved husband of Bertha; loving father of Brent (Erica) and Marissa Cascarilla (Chad); dear grandfather of Sabrina and Christian Cascarilla; son of the late Stephen and C. Maxine Mehall; brother of Philip S. Mehall (Darci) and the late J. David Mehall and Thomas S. Mehall; caring uncle of Jessica Bodker, Dr. Ariel Bodker, Michael Bodker, Brad Wilkof, and Reid Wilkof; brother-in-law of Stuart Bodker and Hortensia Bodker and Robert Wilkof and the late Graciela Wilkof; son-in-law of the late Osvaldo and Olga Marcos. Martin received his undergraduate and his Juris Doctorate from the Ohio State University. He went on to obtain a Master's in Law from New York University. MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL FRIDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2021 AT 10:30 A.M. AT ST. RAPHAEL CHURCH, 525 DOVER CENTER RD, BAY VILLAGE, OHIO. PLEASE MEET AT CHURCH. Private Entombment at Lakewood Park Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, and donations, please pass on an act of kindness. Masks Requested.
SERVICES: Mass of Christian Burial, Friday, December 17, 2021, 10:30 AM
St. Raphael Church
525 Dover Center Rd.
Bay Village, OH 44140
Published in the Cleveland Plain Dealer, December 11 – 15, 2021 and https://www.berrymcgreevey.com/obituary/martin-mehall
CHARLES WILLIAM TOWNLEY
Charles William Townley, 87, resident of Willow Brook at Delaware Run in Delaware, OH, died July 22, 2022. He was born in East Liverpool, OH on Oct. 27, 1934, to Arthur Charles and Bernice Mae (Hurd) Townley.
He was married to his lovely wife Nancy (Bailey) Townley for 63 years before she passed away on Aug. 20, 2020.
He is survived by a son Paul (Karen) Townley, a daughter Diane (John) Sharpe, granddaughters Amy (Jason) Scragg and Julie (Brian) Torski, great-grandsons Matthew and Ryan Scragg and Benjamin Torski, great-granddaughter Abigail Torski, a brother Donald (Patricia) Townley, and brother-in-law James (Judith) Bailey.
A half-sister Linda Daniels Allison and a half-brother John Corak are deceased.
After graduating from Wellsville (Ohio) High School he attended the Ohio State University from which he received a B.Sc. degree in chemistry and a Ph.D. in nuclear chemistry. As a student at OSU, he was a member of NROTC, Sigma Pi Fraternity, the Council of Fraternity Presidents, Ohio Staters, Inc., Phi Beta Kappa, Sphinx, and Bucket and Dipper.
During a 32-year career at Battelle Memorial Institute, he held the positions of Manager of Chemical Physics, Manager of Structural Physics, Manager of Materials Science, Manager of Information and Communication Systems, and Manager of Toxic Substances Programs. He was also Director of the William F. Clapp Laboratory, Inc., Battelle's marine research facility in Duxbury, MA.
As an active member of North Community Lutheran Church in Columbus for over 40 years, he served three times on the church council, and twice as president of the congregation. In Delaware he has been a member of Zion United Church of Christ, serving on the church council and as treasurer. Since his retirement from Battelle in 1991, Chuck and his wife spent many summers at Lakeside, OH, where they owned a cottage from 1972 to 2008. He has also enjoyed reading, golf, oil painting, and genealogy research.
Funeral Services will take place on Saturday, July 30th, 2022, at 10 a.m. at the Rutherford Corbin Funeral Home, 515 High St., Worthington, Ohio 43085 with Pastor Beth Gedert officiating. Interment will follow at Union Cemetery. Family and friends may visit an hour prior to the service.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Willow Brook Christian Communities, 100 Delaware Crossing West, Delaware, OH 43015 or Zion United Church of Christ, 51 West Central Ave., Delaware, OH 43015.
Published by The Delaware Gazette from July 26 to July 27, 2022.
MEMORIAL EVENTS
JULY 30, 2022
Service 9:00a.m. - 10:00a.m.
Rutherford Corbin Funeral Home (https://www.rutherfordfuneralhomes.com/obituaries/Charles-Townley/#!/TributeWall)
John Richard Foulkes, 89, of Columbus, Ohio died at Westerwood’s Ridgewood Assisted Living facility on January 24, 2022. He was born on June 1, 1932, in Lima, Ohio, and is the son of Clarence “Dutch” and Leota (Meredith) Foulkes.
On May 14, 1955, he married Carol Jane Winkle in Vaughnsville, Ohio and who survives in Columbus, Ohio. They lived the majority of their lives on John’s ancestral farm near Vaughnsville and treasured their time in the community.
John is also survived by his daughter-in-law Amy (Jeff) Foulkes of Hudson, OH, son Doug (Joanne) Foulkes of Celina, OH and daughter Ellen (Gregory) Bonk of Riverlea, OH and beloved, grandchildren Tyler and Spencer Foulkes and Kimberly Bonk. Also surviving are a sister Martha (Larry) Timbers, a sister-in-law Shirley (Winkle) Blake and nine nieces and nephews.
Preceding John in death were his parents, mother and father-in-law Torrence and Gladys (Henry) Winkle and his eldest son, Jeffery, on Dec. 22, 2021. A sister, Janet and Marvin Pridgeon, brother-in-law Peter (Martha) Vogt, brother-in-law Byron (Shirley) Blake and two nephews also preceded him in death..
John graduated from Vaughnsville High School in 1950. He attended The Ohio State University on a full scholarship receiving a bachelor’s degree in Vocational Agricultural Education in 1954. He also received a master’s degree in School Counseling from The University of Dayton in 1974.
John was in the ROTC program at OSU and on active duty with the U.S. Army from 1955 to 1957 at Fort Cronkhite in San Francisco, California. He taught Vocational Agriculture at Amsden, Lakota and Continental High Schools and Apollo JVS. He ended his career in education as a guidance counselor at Continental High School. He also farmed full time for 10 years between his years in education.
John devoted his life to serving others. He was a Gideon member, active in many capacities at the Vaughnsville Community Church, a Columbus Grove and Apollo Joint Vocational School Boards member and a jail inmate visitor at the Lima Worth Center and the Putnam County Jail. He also served on the board of directors for the Defiance Area Youth for Christ, the Putnam County Fair, and Pathways Counseling Center of Putnam County.
John enjoyed watching his grandchildren’s sports, music and other school events. He loved rooting for the Buckeyes having attended football games at all original Big Ten stadiums and several OSU bowl games including the Rose Bowl. He also loved fishing with his schoolteacher buddies and made many trips to Canada to fish for pike and walleye. He held all-night, “bass fishing” tournaments at the pond on his farm. John was a conservationist having committed a significant portion of his family farm into Ohio’s Wetland Reserve Program. John was an OSU Extension Service Master Gardener and a member of the Farm Bureau.
He and Carol loved to travel together or with their children and grandchildren. They visited Zambia (Africa), Paris, London, Alaska and many places in the lower 48 states.
Friends and family may call Monday January 31, from 9:30 to 11:30 AM at Vaughnsville Community Church immediately followed by a funeral service. A private interment ceremony will be held at the Hughes Cemetery. Friends and family are invited to a reception at the Vaughnsville Community Center following the service.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers donations be made to Vaughnsville Community Church, Capitol City Hospice (https://www.capitalcityhospice.com/donate/ ) or The Gideons International (https://gideons.org/donate) in memory of John.
Hartman Sons Funeral Home, Columbus Grove, Ohio, is handling arrangements.